Rome invites 'fleeced' Japanese man for lunch at Italian restaurant in Tokyo

Tuesday 15th September, 06:56 AM JST

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maglev101 at 10:03 PM JST - 15th September

why would you order somethng if you don't know the price?

maybe the restaurant has two sets of menus - one for locals and one for foreigners they intend to scam? anyway, if they intended to cheat you, they'll find a way to rationalize everything.
jackseoul at 10:06 PM JST - 15th September

Btw, I was warned about Gypsies trying to snatch our wallets & purses, but I found the regular Romans to be a more frightening bunch! I never actually saw any Gypsies on that trip... apparently there were major crackdowns. I saw more Africans trying to hawk fake purses.
jackseoul at 10:07 PM JST - 15th September

My boss who was Italian warned me that there were two prices! One for the locals and one for the "turisti." What a backward way to treat "guests."
jackseoul at 10:16 PM JST - 15th September

I have to be clear that not all restaurants in Rome cheat you in a big way. We has some pleasant meals and didn't sweat when it was time to pay the bill.
jackseoul at 10:20 PM JST - 15th September

Rome is the most travelled destination in the world... tons of tourists, so they don't mind ripping you off 'cause they'll most likely not see you again. They don't care for a second visit since there are more tourists to take advantage of. We're talking about Rome and not all Italian cities and towns.
Shaolin7 at 11:00 PM JST - 15th September

He did the decent thing, in refusing the free trip. Yamada is an honest, stand up guy and deserves the respect that he's hopefully being accorded, for his conduct. I hope he has an enjoyable lunch, although it would be nicer if his girlfriend came along as well!
MartyP at 11:58 PM JST - 15th September

Isn't this old news? I thought I remembered reading it here a few weeks ago...
jmarc at 12:23 AM JST - 16th September

last time i went to Rome i took great care to check the price and only eat at restaurant recommended by my pocket guide. I was still suprised to be charge for using knifes and forks. Guess you must use your hands if you don't want to be charged those few extra euros.
TokyoLurker at 02:27 AM JST - 16th September

this is not new in Italy, they almost always charge anyone in excess, because they know foreigners won't complain. This is a big problem known in Italy(2nd), following adultery(1st).
kokorocloud at 08:43 AM JST - 16th September

The Japanese man sounds so nice. Good for him.

Tourists can get ripped off practically anywhere, it comes with the territory I thought, though I haven't been to Europe yet (and of course Italy was at the top of my list for places I want to see first!). And chances are that when I go, I will make sure I know how to listen for "tourist charge". It makes me mad that they do this. A lot of tourists are idiots, yes, but why is it okay to rip off nice people who just want to get a taste of the world elsewhere? Do you have to charge them an arm and a leg just for wanting to get to know someone else's culture? Of course they invited the guy back, what a douchey thing to do. And everyone knows it.
BlackOut at 01:39 PM JST - 16th September

jackseoul, i read your story. i have to say that i also got the same experience in thailand on the 50% more charged just because i look like foreigner. they didn't realize that i understand their language in some extent level.

i think no matter how much you know the country and how friendly the country try to present themselves on magazine or tv ads, traveler will just have to be careful before order anything!
jackseoul at 02:26 PM JST - 16th September

@Blackout, The thing that surprises me most is that they say it in front of you without batting an eyelash. They may think that tourists are ignorant (because we don't know enough about them... that's why we are there!) but many of us go prepared, studying their culture, even learning a few words or phrases. I just wished I was fluent enough in those times as to say a reply that would be a verbal slap on their dead ancestors faces. Maybe not too insulting, though.

Yamada-san got soooo fleeeeced that he and his girlfriend could knit new sweaters (Italian ones). Good for them to call the cops! The cops did a fine job finding the "discrepancies."

The Latin phrase "caveat emptor" or "buyer beware" was created by Romans because they were ripping off tourists 2000 years ago!

@MartyP, The article did state that this happened in late July. Keep this news floating on the internet to teach the crooks, Il Passetto of Rome, a lesson.
MartyP at 09:28 PM JST - 16th September

@Jackseoul

Found it!

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/fleeced-japanese-couple-decline-romes-invite-to-revisit

Title has changed. I think this new article was meant to be a follow up, but they didn't change anything...
jewel at 10:12 PM JST - 18th September

There is a Romanian restaurant like this in Tokyo, BEWARE!!!! My family and another went there and was shocked by getting a bill of 50000 yen!!!!!
Sarge at 10:38 PM JST - 18th September

I'll bet the lumch at the Italian restaurant in Tokyo Midtown won't be cheap either!

I suggest they go down the street to Roppongi Hills North Tower's Capricciosa restaurant. Delicioso, and reasonable!